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Is there a particular ice melt or deicer that should be used on the concrete sidewalks and granite areas?

Calcium Magnesium Acetate is both environmentally friendly and less damaging to concrete surfaces. A deicer or ice melt product with CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate) is the Township’s recommendation and preference for use on the new concrete and granite surfaces.

Complete Streets is a critically important program for the long term safety and vitality of downtown Millburn. The program originated at the Federal level, came down to the States and then to the Counties, and ultimately to the municipalities. It’s a grant credit program meant to improve the often conflicting interaction between vehicular traffic and pedestrians. In considering the fundamental objectives of Complete Streets, Millburn Township immediately recognized the opportunity to take advantage of the program to address longstanding systemic problems in the downtown area.

From a safety standpoint, Millburn has had an unfortunate history of auto and pedestrian accidents - over 140 in just 4 years at our Main Street intersections alone. For years, downtown Millburn has had main roadways with pervasive speeding problems. We had left turn patterns in the center of our downtown that were the root of recurring vehicle and pedestrian collisions. There were dangerously narrow sidewalks and dangerously long crosswalks for pedestrians to traverse our streets and intersections. We’ve had a downtown that prioritized vehicular traffic over all other uses, making it unsafe for pedestrian movement and necessitating a better balance between traffic and pedestrian needs. From an infrastructure standpoint, our downtown has been in serious need of improvement. We have lived with a patchwork of inconsistent hardscape, failing sidewalk and roadway materials, cluttered and confusing signage, and we had a downtown infrastructure that for all intents and purposes has been functionally obsolete with respect to today’s thinking on how a downtown should function and serve its users.

The Millburn Complete Streets project is a comprehensive initiative unanimously adopted by Resolution of the Township Committee in 2014 to address the critical issues of pedestrian safety, traffic calming and improved vitality in Downtown Millburn. It’s a direct response to overwhelming community and merchant demands to take action. It’s a way to make the downtown safer for our residents and improve our infrastructure in the long term for businesses and merchants. And, it’s a way to create a more inviting downtown experience so that Millburn can attract tenants and help our existing shops and businesses compete with other local and regional towns that have taken proactive steps to improve their downtown areas. The Township took a comprehensive, holistic approach to our Complete Streets project to avoid piece meal, band aid type improvements that have been tried unsuccessfully in the past. The Township is making a much needed investment in our downtown and our merchants that, once completed, will translate into greater economic strength and a safer place to operate in the long term.

Complete Streets is a comprehensive program meant to improve the safety and vitality of downtown Millburn. There are a variety of innovative design elements incorporated into the plan. Some of the key safety features of the Complete Streets project include:• Wider, safer sidewalks for pedestrians• Safer corners with bump outs and shorter crosswalk distances• Mid-block crossings• Traffic calming with improved flow and circulation• No left turns at high accident intersections• New and upgraded traffic and pedestrian signals• Coordinated traffic signal timing (Millburn/Main – Main/Essex – Lackawanna/Essex – Lackawanna/Millburn)• Designated loading areas• Reduction of signage clutter and consistent signageSome of the key infrastructure improvements include:• Custom designed and landscaped corners• Granite and basalt pavers and custom benches• Streetscape details including millstone inlays and a design palate that connects us to our history and identity• Street trees, rain gardens and native plantings• Sophisticated design palate with new appointments and street furnishings• Additional downtown parking• Reverse angle parking• New and enhanced LED light fixtures that are dimmable and cost efficient• Flexible parking areas• Flexible Main Street event space• Newly paved and striped downtown streets

The process leading to the implementation of Complete Streets was extremely thorough. It’s the result of more than two years of extensive planning and engineering, and it’s the result of an enormous amount of professional, community and stakeholder participation: • Following the adoption of the Complete Streets resolution by the Township Committee, the Township conducted a thorough vetting process to assemble the design team, which resulted in the selection of Arterial Streets, an innovative, locally based, highly responsive and cost-effective firm with successful experience in Complete Streets projects. • The Township then began a two year design and engineering process that included, as part of the regular working group: multi-disciplinary design professionals, expert traffic engineers, our Township engineers, our Township administration and staff, our Township building official, the police department, the fire department, the DPW, emergency services and our Township forester. • Once preliminary design options were advanced to a sufficient level, multiple public open houses were held to share the proposed plan with the public and get feedback, which was incorporated into the design on many levels during the evolution of the plan. Several open house sessions were held in the center of downtown during the peak of weekday pedestrian activity (to maximize turnout), where plan boards and streetscape samples were available to the public for review, questions, comments and input. • Following further refinement, the plans were presented and reviewed at multiple stakeholder sessions that actively included the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Millburn Development Alliance (both of which endorsed the plan), downtown business owners, all of the aforementioned departments and residents. The proposed plan was concurrently presented for review to the Board of Education (including their director of bussing), school PTO leaders, the Senior Citizens Advisory Board and in direct meetings with business owners throughout downtown.• During each step of the design development process, the Complete Streets plan was provided to and discussed with the County and its engineers for review and coordination, and with the spectrum of utilities and other agencies relevant to implementation. The Township obtained all requisite permits and roadway maintenance approvals. • Upon completion of the final proposed design, the Planning Board conducted a capital project review and affirmatively recommended the project to the Township Committee. • The plans were then presented in public session of the Township Committee before residents, business owners and our local media, which carried the information to the public throughout the process. The Township added a Complete Streets page to the Millburn website with timelines, meeting notifications, visual materials, project information and progress updates throughout the design phase. • From the start of the construction phase, the Township has updated the web page on a regular basis for progress and for pertinent traffic information to help people navigate our downtown during the construction work. Project representatives have gone door to door to merchants to inform them when construction is due to start in front of their shops. Sign boards have been placed downtown with drawings of the final product to help provide the community with a visual perspective of the final Complete Streets product.

The Complete Streets project is currently in the first phase of construction, which began in early July of 2016. The Township completed the Main Street roadway in early September, re-opening the street to traffic prior to the start of school as promised. Work continues on the roadway, curbs and sidewalks moving east down Millburn Avenue, and the finish detailing of intersection corners and streetscape design elements is now being done. As has been the plan since the early stages of pre-construction planning, the Township will balance the progress of construction with the interests of the downtown merchants during the holiday season (Thanksgiving to New Year’s). As such, the first three weeks of November will be focused on completing the phase one work on Millburn Avenue from Spring Street to Main Street and ensuring that the roadways are free of construction equipment and fully accessible throughout the holidays. In addition, the Township has instituted free parking in all of downtown from October 29th until December 31st to encourage shoppers to come downtown to our stores. Parallel parking has been re-opened on both sides of Millburn Avenue from the entrance of Lot 5 to Main Street. The Township is highly sensitive to the fact that the construction is a nuisance to our residents and a disruption to our merchants. There is no way to implement the project without doing the work, and there is no “good” time to do construction, but the Township is taking every possible step to minimize the disruption and complete the work as quickly as possible. In moving to phase two, the Township will maximize the amount of work that is performed during the summer months, when activity in town is at its lowest level. The Township will also take all necessary steps to ensure that work is done in a manner that minimizes the inconvenience to the stores when they are effected by work. Additionally, certain lead time items like bollards will be pre-ordered by the Township to expedite the installation of finish items. The Township regularly reassesses the schedule to find ways to minimize disruption and accelerate the work in areas that directly impact businesses. As indicated publicly many months ago, the Complete Streets project will be completed in late spring of 2018. We’re under construction and making good progress. Construction is never easy, but it’s a temporary disruption. The finished product will greatly benefit our residents and downtown businesses in the long term.

The Complete Streets project is already resulting in tangible benefits to the safety and infrastructure of our downtown. Students in the area now have wide, safe sidewalks to walk on when they come downtown after school, where before they would be spilling into the street into traffic. The dangerous left turns that have caused so many serious accidents have already been eliminated. Restaurants that have been clamoring for outdoor café style seating have already begun to open their storefronts onto Main Street to increase the activity and vibrancy of our downtown. An amazing and successful Millburn Schools Ed Foundation event was held on the new Main Street event space, exactly as the design intended. We will continue to see the benefits increase as construction progresses toward completion.

Yes, the majority of the on street parking downtown will remain parallel parking when Complete Streets is completed. Parallel parking has already been re-opened on both sides of Millburn Avenue from Dunkin Donuts/Haagen Dazs to Main Street where it was before, but with wider safer sidewalks. Parallel parking will also remain on the north side of Millburn Avenue east of Main Street. There will be limited areas of reverse angle parking at specified locations in the downtown.

Reverse angle parking provides a greater number of spaces than parallel parking and is a safer means of parking. The movement to enter a reverse angle space is the exact same initial movement required for a three movement parallel parking maneuver, but requires only the first movement. Reverse angle parking is safer because it allows for a shorter and simpler movement to enter the space, it allows for trunk loading and unloading directly to the sidewalk and away from oncoming traffic, it directs passengers (particularly children) to the sidewalk when the vehicle doors are open, and it allows for an easier exit into the roadway when exiting the space. The reverse angle spaces designed into the Complete Streets project are significantly wider than a typical space, allowing for easier movement into the space when parking.

One of the fundamental principles of Complete Streets is to balance the needs of pedestrians and vehicles. Our streets, as they were, were designed more for vehicles than pedestrians. This resulted in a less safe condition for pedestrians. Tighter turning movements reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians and also require vehicles to make the turns at slower, safer speeds while still maintaining smooth through traffic

Yes. All design geometry has been engineered so that, upon completion of construction, trucks, buses and emergency vehicles can make the required turning movements. The Fire Department has been engaged several times throughout the design process to ensure that the fire trucks can circulate properly.

Absolutely not! Quite the opposite. In fact, the number of trees and plantings will increase with Complete Streets. Over 71 new trees will be planted in the Phase 1 area alone. In working with Essex County engineering to ensure that we meet their requirements, 6 pre-existing trees were relocated – they were not eliminated. In addition, there will be raingarden storm water planters, native landscape and potted plants throughout the downtown. As part of the phase two program, the entrance to Taylor Park on Millburn Ave will also be improved and made more open and accessible to pedestrians for outdoor seating and community use. A variety of trees and other landscaping elements will also be incorporated into the phase two program.

The Complete Streets project will result in wider, safer sidewalks throughout downtown. Bollards will separate the sidewalks from the parking spaces. The use of bollards allows flexibility in the design by allowing the parallel parking spaces to be used for sidewalk sales, downtown events or café style seating for restaurants.

Although the Township has made improvements to the sidewalk and corners during complete streets, it remains the responsibility of the property owner or occupant to remove all snow or ice from the sidewalks in accordance with Township ordinance.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate is both environmentally friendly and less damaging to concrete surfaces. A deicer or ice melt product with CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate) is the Township’s recommendation and preference for use on the new concrete and granite surfaces.

The Township of Millburn will be responsible for removing snow from these spaces as was the practice when it was curbed parallel parking spaces. We will treat snow removal in the Downtown as we always have in the past, with the downtown center/parking being cleared after significant snowfall. In these spaces we will also use ice melt with CMA or a brine solution to prevent icing.

Summer 2016 to Winter 2017- Construction and Improvements June 2016The Township held bid applications for construction of the Complete Streets project. The Township award the construction bid to Flanagan's Contracting Group, Inc on June 7th, 2016. The Township, Arterial and Flanagan's Contracting Group held a pre-construction meeting. From this meeting it was determined that the commencement of construction for the first phase of Complete Streets improvements is set to begin on July 13th, 2016.

July 2016Main Street has been closed since July 13th. It will remain closed for approximately one (1) month with a detour in place.DETOUR:Main Street Northbound: at Millburn Ave turn right and proceed east until the intersection of Essex Street (Annie Sez), turn left and proceed west on Essex Street. At third traffic light, turn right and precede north on Main Street/Old Short Hills Road.

Main Street Southbound: at Essex Street turn right and proceed west until Douglas Street. Turn left on Douglas Street (Fire Station) and proceed south to Millburn Avenue. At Millburn Avenue, turn left and proceed west until first traffic light. At first traffic light, turn night and proceed south on Main Street.

-Complete milling of Main Street-Demolition of sidewalk on Main Street -Set stone base for sidewalk and started forming and pouring some areas with concrete-Electrical conduits were dug and placed for future underground wiring-Drainage system was installed -Continuation of curbs and sidewalks being framed and poured with concrete. -During this same period of time various utilities conducted work in the Main Street area: PSE&G: Gas main from Millburn Ave to Essex Street being replaced with gas modernization system JCP&L: Placing 3 telephone poles (2 on Main, 1 on the corner of Main and Millburn)NJAW: Work to relocate two fire hydrants

August 2016-Demolition of sidewalk on Main Street -Set stone base for sidewalk and started forming and pouring some areas with concrete-During this same period of time various utilities conducted work in the Main Street area: PSE&G: Finished gas modernization system from Millburn Ave to Essex Street JCP&L: Placed 2 telephone poles on Main Street and 1 on the corner of Main Street and Millburn Ave NJAW: Replaced two fire hydrants, one at the corner by Starbucks and the one on the corner by Fiamma-Curbs and sidewalks were framed and poured with concrete -Lighting foundations and conduits were placed-Pouring of roadway on Main Street between Starbucks and Charlie Brown’s from center line to Charlie Brown’s side of Main St. -Demolition and preparation of sidewalk on Millburn Ave During this same period of time New Jersey American Water moved and replaced an existing hydrant-Formed and poured concrete road way on Main Street-Framed curbs and sidewalks and poured with concrete on Main Street and Millburn Ave-Formed bump outs on Essex Street and Main Street-Placed conduits and foundation for lighting fixtures-Poured concrete roadway on Main Street-Framed curbs and sidewalks and poured with concrete on Main Street, Essex Street and Millburn Ave-Opened Main Street-Placed conduits and foundation for lighting fixtures-Framed curbs and sidewalks and poured with concrete on Main Street, Essex Street and Millburn Ave

September 2016-Opening of Main Street-Striping on Main Street roadway-Continuing to demo and prepare new sidewalks along Millburn Ave-Pouring concrete sidewalk and curbs on Millburn Ave-Preparing to set basalt pavers -Completed pouring concrete sidewalk and curbs on north side of Millburn Ave down to the entrance of Town Hall-Completed new parking lot entrance by Dunkin Donuts-Set basalt pavers on Millburn Ave-Poured foundation for lighting conduits-Relocated the Parking pay-station next to Dunkin Donuts-Continuing to demo and prepare new sidewalks along Millburn Ave-Pouring concrete sidewalk and curbs on Millburn Ave-Completed pouring concrete sidewalk and curbs on north side of Millburn Ave down to the entrance of Town Hall-Completed new parking lot entrance by Dunkin Donuts-Set basalt pavers on Millburn Ave-Poured foundation for lighting conduits-Relocated the Parking pay-station next to Dunkin Donuts-Continuing to demo and prepare new sidewalks along Millburn Ave-Pouring concrete sidewalk and curbs on Millburn Ave-Continuing to demo and prepare new sidewalks along the south side of Millburn Ave-Installed drain inlets on the south side of Millburn Ave-Set basalt pavers on Main Street-Installed ADA ramps and curbing on Main Street corners

October 2016-Completed pouring concrete sidewalk and curbs along the south side of Milllburn Ave from Schultz to Haagen Daz-Installed lighting conduits on the south side of Millburn Ave-Stripped roadway on Main Street-Installed ADA ramps and curbing on Main Street corners-Setting granite sections on Main Street-Installed all traffic signal bases on Main Street-Installed drain inlets on the south side of Millburn Ave-Completed pouring concrete sidewalk and curbs along the south side of Milllburn Ave from Schultz to Haagen Daz -Set granite corner stone’s on Main Street-Completed pouring concrete for existing corners on Millburn Ave and Main Street-Installed conduits and drainage in front of School House Plaza-Poured concrete sidewalk and curb in front of School House Plaza-Set granite and millstone at Fiamma Pizza and handy cap ramp at Starbucks-Installed new custom benches on Main Street -Completed setting basalt pavers on the south side of Millburn Ave -Installed drainage along driveways on Millburn Ave -Installed curbing and conduits west of Town Hall-Poured concrete sidewalk and curb in front of School House Plaza and Pet Store-Opened parking on both sides of Millburn Ave from Lot #5 to Main Street-Installed conduits and drainage from Town Hall to Spring Street -Poured concrete curb and sidewalk west of Town Hall-Set granite and millstones at Starbucks, Design Hub, and Charlie Brown’s corners

November 2016-Installed midblock granite sections on Millburn Ave -Installed conduits and drainage from Town Hall to Spring Street -Poured concrete curb and sidewalk west of Town Hall-Demolition and milling of sidewalk west of the Pet Shop to Spring Street -Setting granite pavers at Design Hub and Charlie Brown’s-Milling, paving and striping of Millburn Ave from Spring Street to Main Street -Installed conduits and drainage from Pet Store to Spring Street-Finished curbs and pouring of sidewalk from Pet Store to Spring Street-Filled planting beds with top soil-Pouring concrete sidewalk from Clemenza’s to Spring St -Installed ADA ramp on the southeast (Verizon Building) corner of Spring St and Millburn Ave -Installed pavers at the Crepe corner -Completed grouting of midblock granite sections and pavers on Millburn Ave -Filled planting beds with seasonal planting -Milled Town Hall parking lot for new road

December 2016-Completed pouring curbs and sidewalk at the Gotham corner-Installed pavers, benches and handy cap ramp on the Crepe corner -Filled planting beds with seasonal planting -Demolition of the new road by Town Hall is on-going-Complete curbs along new road -Completing grouting along Millburn Ave and all corners

January and February 2017-Completed curbs along new road-Poured majority of sidewalk along new road-Grading new road-Installing additional benches and traffic lights-Saw-cutting sidewalk along new road -Completed construction for improved circulation in parking Lot 5-Installed street lights throughout the downtown area-Completed pouring sidewalk along new road